Compliments Hickory Smoked Ham is a classic choice for festive meals and special occasions. Perfectly seasoned and smoked over real hickory wood chips, this precooked ham has incredible flavor straight out of the package. But heating it properly is key to bringing out its full potential.
Follow this simple guide to cook your Compliments ham to tender, juicy perfection every time.
Ingredients
- 1 bone-in Compliments Hickory Smoked Ham (precooked)
- Compliments Hickory Ham Glaze packet
Prep Your Ham
Before cooking. you’ll need to get your ham ready
- Remove all outer plastic packaging and netting.
- Place the ham face down in a roasting pan or baking dish.
- Tip: Choose a pan that’s slightly larger than your ham to catch any drippings.
- Completely cover the ham with foil or an oven-safe lid. This seals in moisture as it cooks.
Bake the Ham
Now you’re ready to let that hickory smoked flavor shine through:
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Bake ham for approximately 15 minutes per pound.
- For example, a 10 lb ham bakes for about 2.5 hours.
- Check temperature periodically and add time if needed.
Pro Tip Since every oven varies in accuracy, these cook times are only a guideline. Always use a meat thermometer to confirm your ham reaches 140°F when done
Make the Glaze
While your ham bakes, you can prepare the glaze for maximum flavor:
- In a small saucepan, combine glaze packet contents.
- Add 1.5 tbsp (22 ml) warm water and mix.
- Bring glaze to a boil over high heat, stirring frequently.
- Once boiling, immediately remove from heat.
Apply the Glaze
Time to coat your ham in sweet, smoky goodness:
- 10 minutes before ham is finished baking, remove from oven.
- Increase oven temp to 425°F (220°C).
- Generously brush glaze all over ham’s surface.
- Return to oven uncovered and bake for 10 final minutes.
Pro Tip: If your ham did not include a glaze packet, you can make a brown sugar glaze by mixing 1 cup brown sugar with 1/4 cup honey, 1/4 cup maple syrup and 2 tbsp Dijon mustard.
Let Ham Rest
Once your ham comes out of the oven, it needs a short rest:
- Allow ham to sit for 10-15 minutes before carving.
- This allows juices to redistribute for maximum tenderness and moisture.
- Loosely tent ham with foil while resting.
And your Compliments Hickory Smoked Ham is ready to serve! The touch of sweet glaze complements the smoky, savory flavor perfectly.
![Sliced hickory smoked ham with glaze][1]
<div class=”credit”>Credit: Brent Hofacker/Moment/GettyImages</div>
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow this handy step-by-step guide for foolproof Compliments hickory smoked ham:
Prep
- Unwrap ham fully and place face down in roasting pan.
- Cover tightly with foil.
Bake
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Bake 15 minutes per pound.
- Use meat thermometer to confirm 140°F internal temperature.
Make Glaze
- Empty glaze packet into saucepan.
- Add 1.5 tbsp warm water and bring to boil.
- Remove from heat once boiling.
Glaze and Finish
- Brush glaze over ham 10 minutes before done.
- Bake glazed ham at 425°F for 10 minutes.
- Let rest 10-15 minutes before carving.
And enjoy your incredibly moist, hickory smoked holiday ham!
FAQs
Get answers to some commonly asked questions about cooking Compliments ham:
How long does it take to cook a 10 lb ham?
Allow about 2.5 to 3 hours of cooking time for a 10 lb bone-in ham at 325°F. Always use a meat thermometer for best results.
Can I use apple juice or ginger ale instead of water for the glaze?
Absolutely! Using apple juice, ginger ale, pineapple juice or other liquids adds extra flavor to the glaze.
Do I need to trim or score the ham before cooking?
Nope! Since Compliments ham is fully cooked, you can bake it just as it is from the package.
Should I tent the ham with foil while it rests?
Yes, lightly tenting with foil while the ham rests helps retain heat and moisture after baking.
What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
You can reheat sliced ham in the oven at 250°F until warmed through, about 20-30 minutes. Or microwave individual slices for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Get Creative with Leftovers!
Put leftover Compliments ham to delicious use in recipes like:
- Hearty ham and potato soup
- Ham and gruyere quiche
- Breakfast sandwiches with egg and cheese
- Ham fried rice or pasta
- Easy ham hash with veggies
- Ham, apple and brie panini
- Ham and pineapple pizza
With its intensely smoky, salty-sweet flavor, a little leftover ham can add so much to your meals. Get creative with the possibilities!
The Takeaway
Cooking Compliments Hickory Smoked Ham is simple with just a few key steps:
- Prep ham and bake covered at 325°F approximately 15 minutes per pound.
- Mix up the sweet glaze while ham bakes.
- Brush on glaze last 10 minutes then let ham rest before slicing.
With its signature hickory smoke flavor and easy prep, Compliments ham is sure to be the star of your holiday table!
So unwind and let the sweet aromas of smoky ham fill your kitchen. Just sit back and let the oven do the work for a mouthwatering centerpiece. Your guests will be coming back for seconds.
